[News] With Logjam At Tight End, Ravens Could Get Creative With Roles

[BR News]

Head Coach John Harbaugh said tight ends Nick Boyle or Maxx Williams could be used as lead blockers with the departure of fullback Kyle Juszczyk in free agency. Benjamin Watson is ‘ahead of schedule,’ and Harbaugh sees a role for everyone.

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[cushrinada1986]

I can see that:
Boyle as new FB, would basically make it 3 TEs on the field in those two TE sets.

Waller as a move TE\WR: We said we needed a bigger body receiver, we can put him in the slot against smaller SS and slower LBs and outside on smaller DBs and let him do work

Pitta the Rec TE: Should be starter since he has a good track record with Joe

Gilmore TE2: Roadblock of a blocker and can be a bully when it comes to powering through tacklers. I can see him making great plays in the middle and the redzone.

Watson: Not sure really, can keep him in case Pitta and Gilmore goes down. Keep in mind our TE squad could go from depth to need depending on suspensions and injuries.......

[PersianRaven]

Problem is, we just don't know how to utilize our talents. Darren Waller has crazy speed for his size, but our playbook has nothing for him. Same applies to Lorenzo and Boyle. Maxx came outta college as the best TE available and we have not seen JACK from him either. It ain't the players, its the coaching staff. Simply-put.

[gettin real]

Yeah it all sounds good, until Flacco gets into checkdown mode throwing swings passes in the flat to Woodhead and short pass over the middle to Pitta 2 yards shot of the 1st down marker. Bellichick would make a killing with the talent we have, but not Harbaugh. Oh well I just hope they run the ball more.

[bigcatfrank1]

Problem is, we just don't know how to utilize our talents. Darren Waller has crazy speed for his size, but our playbook has nothing for him. Same applies to Lorenzo and Boyle. Maxx came outta college as the best TE available and we have not seen JACK from him either. It ain't the players, its the coaching staff. Simply-put.

you know I think you are on to something but I have a little different spin on it... I think the Ravens are too utilized when it comes to Offensive playmakers. One guy does this well, another guy does something else well but they are limited in the same position ...that just sets up to expose the offense in personnel changes. I would rather see multiple players largely talented, similar and interchangeable.
Examples:
-if they commit to Pitta, then we should use Williams in multiple sets who is very similar. ( Boyle and gilmore probably could do similar)
-If the were to bring Boldin in that would be great, here I would use Waller to learn Boldin's style of receiving and routes. Though he has more speed, the ability in the slot is much more important if Boldin were to be on the team. ( another idea is to draft OJ Howard for the slot) I think Waller would make an incredible Slot Receiver.
- Watch D Woodhead and then Dixon those 2 will exhibit very similar play and they should be able to disguise the play well.

I think the Ravens need a Running Back, I do not think West is a good enough RB to be #1 and Dixon is a better Stretch back more like a Danny Woodhead who will be great for the Ravens. Dixon is the future. The Ravens need a clock control Running back. West may find himself 3rd in line. I hope he makes me eat my words.

-

[jdynamite]

In response to harbaugh, all we can say is show us the creativity please! 

Last offseason, everyone was pumped about the talent at TE ( this is before even knowing Pitta would be healthy and playing ) too. 

Tressman talked about getting creative but based on what occurred on the field that essentially meant we are going to throw TE screens to the slowest TEs Gilmore and Pitta gain 2-yards and call it a day. 

 

There were no twin or Trips TE with motion to create mismatches on smaller corners or to isolate a slow LB. 

Waller does have potential, but it doesn't matter because they don't capitalize on his size & speed advantage on defenders. They should have that kid lining up inside and outside running seam patterns, posts quick slants. 

Boyle at FB would be great said that quite a few times already. 

[20306cab]

8 hours ago, jdynamite said:

In response to harbaugh, all we can say is show us the creativity please! 

Last offseason, everyone was pumped about the talent at TE ( this is before even knowing Pitta would be healthy and playing ) too. 

Tressman talked about getting creative but based on what occurred on the field that essentially meant we are going to throw TE screens to the slowest TEs Gilmore and Pitta gain 2-yards and call it a day. 

 

 

Actually, they would call it a day after the first quarter.  Seven times with a 7 or 10-0 lead in the first quarter, and never scored more than 23 points in any of those games.  That was the loss to the Giants. This is the worst roster the Ravens have had on offense, going into the draft, in quite sometime.  Unless PJ picks up his game, (and why would anything be any different after10 years) NOTHING creative will EVER happen. 

[thecommish]

1 thought:

2 TE sets and a healthy rotation

[Crusader]

Creativ, now that's funny.

[Crusader]

Creativ, now that's funny.

Like your kicker using his left foot to kick?

[KidNme]

Ya, we were going to be creative with these guys last season but it just never happened. Got to be healthy and not suspended to play and this group just hasn't cracked that code yet. We'll see what happens in training camp. I think Waller could be good. Watson is old and coming off an injury. Pita is Joe's favorite so we'll see if Waller gets the chance or if he gets buried in the depth chart. Gilmore has shown flashes but his injuries have held him back from reaching his potential thus far. Boyle is a great blocking TE and we could sure use him in that regard but until his drug issues with the league are behind him, he's a big question mark.
I do think a great combo 2 TE set would be Waller and Boyle but we'll see.

[HoldingCall]

I am just waiting for the offense and defense to show up during the same game. Last season looked almost planned.

[HoldingCall]

Who goes and who stays? I'd like to see them make it work with Gilmore, Boyle, Waller and Williams.

[steelcityraven]

I believe Watson will have a big year. I think Pitta and Joe have that rapport so... we will continue to see a lot of that connection. I am not sure about Gimore... he shows flashes but has never demonstrated the consistency that can make him a real threat.

I think Maxx needed to add some strength and has now had a couple of years to do so.... I am curious how improved he will or will not be? He certainly has the raw skills.

I think Boyle has shown flashes of being a baby Gronk and Boyle at HBack is intriguing. But with his infractions... hard to trust him.

I think Waller will slide back to WR and while I love his potential... I really don't seem him playing TE...he seems to have more of a WR mindset@

[steelcityraven]

1 thought:

2 TE sets and a healthy rotation

It works for the Patriots... and Phillip Rivers made it flourish - Why not?

[jdynamite]

11 hours ago, 20306cab said:

Actually, they would call it a day after the first quarter.  Seven times with a 7 or 10-0 lead in the first quarter, and never scored more than 23 points in any of those games.  That was the loss to the Giants. This is the worst roster the Ravens have had on offense, going into the draft, in quite sometime.  Unless PJ picks up his game, (and why would anything be any different after10 years) NOTHING creative will EVER happen. 

PJ??  

 

And yeah it was crazy how the team got a 10-0 lead or a 10 pt lead in maybe 4 games before tossing out the game plan.  

Like the Dallas game drove me insane. The offense starts off good. 10-7 lead, even had a decent running game. Then in second half the team ran like 5 times and 1 was a Flacco scramble.  Zuttah with penalties killed it too.  But in a game that was within reach and the team abandoned the run completely. 

That was the narrative in a few games. 

[jdynamite]

Last year the team was both lucky and unlucky at how the TE position played out. 

Going into training camp I was sure that Waller would be cut after serving the suspension  without ever getting a chance and that perhaps Pitta too depending on health, because the Team had 6 TEs.

* Watson is injured , Boyle & Waller have suspensions to serve so that basically solved the situation for the team without losing anyone. 

Maxx williams gets injured, right before Waller returns to action. 

Gilmore was nicked up all year, Boyle returns and the team ended with 4 TEs. 

Well even if they move Boyle or Maxx to FB the team will still need to part with someone, unless they move Waller back to WR. 

Just can't justify having 6 roster spots dedicated to TE when the team doesn't use them creatively enough to get production. 

They should be able to run a Two TE sets and hurry up offense and run and pass out of those. 

[jdynamite]

4 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

I believe Watson will have a big year. I think Pitta and Joe have that rapport so... we will continue to see a lot of that connection. I am not sure about Gimore... he shows flashes but has never demonstrated the consistency that can make him a real threat.

I think Maxx needed to add some strength and has now had a couple of years to do so.... I am curious how improved he will or will not be? He certainly has the raw skills.

I think Boyle has shown flashes of being a baby Gronk and Boyle at HBack is intriguing. But with his infractions... hard to trust him.

I think Waller will slide back to WR and while I love his potential... I really don't seem him playing TE...he seems to have more of a WR mindset@

 

I think they are giving Watson enough time to heal so that he can pass a physical and then be cut..  

I can't find the article I was reading but it talked about how players on IR need to pass a physical before being cut, or the team would have to pay the full salary due per injury settlement rules, because it's deemed if they couldn't pass the physical they can't play for another team either. ( like a hardship type thing to benefit the players ). 

I read something similar for the reason K.Arrington hadn't been released yet. 

[b93333]

  On ‎3‎/‎31‎/‎2017 at 11:29 AM, steelcityraven said:

I believe Watson will have a big year. I think Pitta and Joe have that rapport so... we will continue to see a lot of that connection. I am not sure about Gimore... he shows flashes but has never demonstrated the consistency that can make him a real threat.

I think Maxx needed to add some strength and has now had a couple of years to do so.... I am curious how improved he will or will not be? He certainly has the raw skills.

I think Boyle has shown flashes of being a baby Gronk and Boyle at HBack is intriguing. But with his infractions... hard to trust him.

I think Waller will slide back to WR and while I love his potential... I really don't seem him playing TE...he seems to have more of a WR mindset@

 

I think they are giving Watson enough time to heal so that he can pass a physical and then be cut..  

I can't find the article I was reading but it talked about how players on IR need to pass a physical before being cut, or the team would have to pay the full salary due per injury settlement rules, because it's deemed if they couldn't pass the physical they can't play for another team either. ( like a hardship type thing to benefit the players ). 

I read something similar for the reason K.Arrington hadn't been released yet. 

This makes the most sense as to why Watson and Arrington are still on the roster. If the Ravens brass doesn't have enough faith in their young TE's to give them a shot... it would be too bad.

[billiejean]

  On 3/30/2017 at 3:50 PM, PersianRaven said:

Problem is, we just don't know how to utilize our talents. Darren Waller has crazy speed for his size, but our playbook has nothing for him. Same applies to Lorenzo and Boyle. Maxx came outta college as the best TE available and we have not seen JACK from him either. It ain't the players, its the coaching staff. Simply-put.

you know I think you are on to something but I have a little different spin on it... I think the Ravens are too utilized when it comes to Offensive playmakers. One guy does this well, another guy does something else well but they are limited in the same position ...that just sets up to expose the offense in personnel changes. I would rather see multiple players largely talented, similar and interchangeable.
Examples:
-if they commit to Pitta, then we should use Williams in multiple sets who is very similar. ( Boyle and gilmore probably could do similar)
-If the were to bring Boldin in that would be great, here I would use Waller to learn Boldin's style of receiving and routes. Though he has more speed, the ability in the slot is much more important if Boldin were to be on the team. ( another idea is to draft OJ Howard for the slot) I think Waller would make an incredible Slot Receiver.
- Watch D Woodhead and then Dixon those 2 will exhibit very similar play and they should be able to disguise the play well.

I think the Ravens need a Running Back, I do not think West is a good enough RB to be #1 and Dixon is a better Stretch back more like a Danny Woodhead who will be great for the Ravens. Dixon is the future. The Ravens need a clock control Running back. West may find himself 3rd in line. I hope he makes me eat my words.

-

What is a stretch back? Stretch/zone is a blocking scheme. I think you may be referring to a one cut back who thrives in that stretch scheme. Woodhead and Dixon are not even remotely similar. Danny is 5'8" 200 and runs a 4.33. Dixon is 5'10" 215 and runs a 4.5. Woodhead is going to be playing a lot of slot this year. He will probably pick up more yards catching passes than running the ball. He will get into a lot of 3rd down situations. Its extremely unlikely that we will bypass West on the RB depth chart. Woodhead has only gained 500 yards once in his 9 year career and that was in 2010. He is not a guy you want to give too many carries to because his diminutive size. The guy has only been able to play in 21 of 48 games in the last few years because of injury. They aren't going to give him a huge load at RB. And OJ is a pipe dream. There isn't any way we take that guy (even if we force him to loose 30lbs)